Double boost on cards for USA in qualifier

(IRB.COM) Thursday 9 July 2009

A first victory on Canadian soil for nearly four years will not only see USA become the first side to secure passage to Rugby World Cup 2011 through the qualifying phase, but also replace their hosts as the highest North American nation in the IRB World Rankings.

USA go into the second leg in Edmonton on Saturday with a slender advantage after triumphing 12-6 in Charleston last weekend – the Eagles’ first win over Canada since that 2005 success (20-19) in Edmonton – but currently sit five places lower at 18th in the rankings.

A draw would be enough to secure USA’s place as Americas 1 in Pool A along with RWC 2011 hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and the Asian qualifier and also see the Eagles climb two places to 16th at the expense of Russia and Georgia.

If the Eagles record back-to-back victories then they will rise to 14th with Canada sliding two places, the other beneficiaries being Japan.

However, if they were to win by more than 15 points then the Eagles would end the weekend 13th with Canada falling to 17th – their highest and lowest positions respectively since the IRB World Rankings were introduced in October 2003.

The hosts, though, did run out convincing winners the last time the neighbours met on Canadian soil, 56-7 in a Rugby World Cup qualifier in August 2006 in St John’s.

Final two battle for Oceania spot

Even a similar result would not improve Canada’s position, although it would edge them slightly closer to Italy above them. The Eagles would remain 18th, still more than a rating point above Romania.

The road to New Zealand 2011 will not be over for the winner as they will meet Uruguay in a two-legged, home and away, play-off to determine the Americas 2 qualifier, who will join Australia, Ireland, Italy and Europe 2 in Pool C. The loser of this play-off will enter the cross-continental play-off in 2010 to determine the 20th and final qualifier.

There is one other Rugby World Cup qualifier on Saturday with Papua New Guinea the visitors to Apia to take on Samoa in a two-legged play-off that will determine Oceania’s qualifier for New Zealand 2011.

Oceania was the last of the regions to get their qualifying process underway, but Samoa – ranked 11th, some 38 places and 27.29 rating points above Papua New Guinea – will be strong favourites to join defending champions South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Africa 1 (Namibia or Tunisia) in Pool D.

Given the difference between the two sides, even an emphatic victory for Samoa will not impact the rankings. However if Papua New Guinea, who beat Cook Islands 29-21 last weekend to earn the right to face Samoa, can cause a huge upset, they could jump five places to 44th and edge Samoa to within touching distance of Italy in 12th.